# NTSB ATL94LA115: Cessna 172, N3882L, Flowery Branch, GA, June 7, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 1994, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Flowery Branch, GA - Coordinates: 34.180679, -83.920707 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1807&lon=-83.9207&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3397 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3397/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA115 ## Probable cause THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE THE THROTTLE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY THAT RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis WHILE CRUISING AT 2300 FEET, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A DROP IN ENGINE RPM. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ENGINE RPM DROPPED FROM 2500 TO 1500; ATTEMPTS BY THE PILOT TO RESTORE FULL POWER FAILED. THE PILOT SELECTED A NEARBY FIELD FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE USED THE MAGNETO SWITCH TO CONTROL THE 1500 RPM AVAILABLE FOR THE APPROACH AND FORCED LANDING. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AT THE CARBURETOR WAS DISCONNECTED. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE CARBURETOR WAS OVERHAULED AND INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE TWO FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT. THE THROTTLE LINKAGE IS NORMALLY SECURED TO THE CARBURETOR WITH A BOLT, A NUT,AND A SAFETY COTTER PIN; THESE ITEMS WERE NOT RECOVERED FOR EXAMINATION. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 1994, at 1510 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N3882L, collided with the ground and nosed over after the pilot experienced throttle control problems near Flowery Branch, Georgia. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed Cumming, Georgia, at 1445 hours. According to the pilot, he and the passenger were sightseeing in the local flying area when the throttle failed to respond to inputs from the pilot. He further stated that engine rpm dropped to 1500 and he used the magneto switch to control engine power for the emergency landing. An examination of the engine assembly revealed that the throttle control linkage was completely disconnected from the carburetor. According to the pilot, the carburetor had been overhauled and installed on the engine two hours before this flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3882L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3882L-1999-06-01), registration cancelled 1999-06-01, S/N 17254051 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254051 - Airframe hours: 4024 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mathis, Claudy J. - Registered owner: Pianowski, Steve - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1993, 12 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PDK, 30 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940607014129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940607014129A), Jun 7, 1994: Cessna 172G, Flowery Branch, GA, Substantial damage. Engine RPM dropped sharply en route landed in open field using mag switch. Throttle disconnected. Carb work recent. ## Other investigations on N3882L (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB MIA71FKW41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FKW41), Mar 26, 1971: Cessna 172 (N3882L), Oliver Sprgs, TN, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.